Answered: Can you legally have marijuana on a Washington ski slope?

It’s legal to have marijuana by state law, but can you legally have it on a ski resort in Washington and Colorado?

Marijuana and mountains have become a weary mix for ski resorts in Colorado and soon in Washington as legal sales of recreational marijuana get going. Possession of up to an ounce is already legal for anyone over 21 years old.

Ski resorts are worried that tourists visiting for legalized cannabis will have the misconception that they will be allowed to spark up on the slopes. In both Colorado and Washington, ski resorts follow federal laws because they operate on Forest Service land.

Some ski resorts are distributing handouts to inform skiers and snowboarders that the resorts are on federal land where all marijuana is illegal, just as in the rest of the country.

“We have a policy against smoking cigarettes anyways, so it hasn’t been an issue,” said Crystal Mountain ski patrol Paul Baugher. “Occasionally, we’d see some kids crowding in a circle by the gondola cabin and it’d be obvious that they’re smoking some stuff.”

However, Baugher said it’s not the ski patrol’s responsibility nor part of their training regime to bust skiers for possession of marijuana. The only time they consider marijuana use to be a major issue and take any action such as making people leave the mountain is when they hear complaints from other skiers.

Also, in Colorado, it has been illegal to ski, board or even hop on a ski lift under the influence.